Just saw the movie 127 Hours, in which a rock climber gets stuck so badly in a spill that he'd give his right arm to get out, OK, I'll stop. (The climber seemed pretty casual about safety, for example, using an ipod while climbing).

I like to fish rough, remote places for brookies and usually go alone; I can often get away at the last second on weekdays.

I am doing the Winter Review of Gear, and wonder if there's safety enhancements I can make. I have never been injured, just broke a few fly rods and other stuff in spills. Still, you could get hurt out there, and there is usually no one around. I ran into about as many rattlers as fishermen in 2010, just a few of each.

I carry a cell, but you can't count on cell service in ravines.

I am doing more to tell my wife where I am going, but of course I often hit multiple streams in a day, and change directions when something looks promising.

I carry both a NOAA-registered 406 mhz locator beacon (bass pro sells them, 'bout $400 but no annual fee) and a good garmin gps with topo and electronic compass.

I wear excellent turtleskin snake gaitors from knees to boot tops. There is probably very little chance of poisonous snake bite -- the few rattlers I've run into were not aggressive, unlike watersnakes and black racers. But the turtleskin wraps save your waders from getting cut by thorns, and they might help avoid cuts from underwater stuff I crash in to. Completely comfortable.

Think I will actually put the TU sticker on my car. I assume cops scan cars found in weird places for signs of where the owner might be. ("Would some idiot actually go fishing down in that hollow?")

Have learned to not tuck my fishing shirts in to my waders. I had a deer tick biting my side once, and the tick's path to me would have been longer if I kept my shirt tail out.

Carry a decent rain jacket in vest. Have good Simms wading boots, falling is probably the most likely problem. I have a serious blaze orange vest for hunting season. Trekking poles help: faster and more stable hiking.

Have learned to make some noise moving up streams so I don't walk in and surprise Yogi, or Mrs Yogi and Boo Boo.

Think I'll stay out of crazy ravines when the ground is frozen and snow covered. Too hard to see ice patches from tiny trickles underfoot.

You sound a lot more prepared than most, and I'm sure in the event of an emergency, you would be pretty good.

Only suggestions I have for you is to throw in a mylar emergency blanket and some water purification tablets. You can be out there for a long time and a little extra warmth and water will get you a long way.

definitely sounds like your well prepared but I found it hard to believe that with your gear you don't pack a small first aid kit. I realize that most of the time it wouldnt be absolutely essential but I always like carrying one in my pack. can't hurt to pack some band-aids and tylenol. I like taking a kit along mostly band-aids, to help keep out any infections when I fall and cut myself. Just a thought...

I try to keep a small zip lock with me packed with TP, ointment, bandaids, asprin and some bug repellent. 50% of the time i forget to transfer it from pack to pack or vest to pack though. Probably should add a knife or cutting tool and some waterproof matches to the mix.

TP, ointment, band aids, aspirin, emergency blanket, meds if ya need them, water, matches, whistle/mirror, granola bars/dry soups, magnesium fire starter (great on wet days) stainless cup for heating water/cooking (can hang on belt) multi tool all in a small pack or fanny pouch. Leave a note on vehicle which way you are headed. and take a dog, good to eat if ya have to..

You DO take a lot of precautions...good stuff to all. I would say the most important thing is letting someone know where you are and when you will return. If your plan changes, call (if you can) and let someone know. Also, in your vehicle, you can leave a note as to where you plan to travel. That would give rescuers a direction in which to search.

Afish,living up here in no mans land you almost have to all the time. I do because of my condition too. I carry certain items every day out in the woods/streams. doesn't take up much room either or weight.

Understand hypothermia and listen to your bodies warning-wandering around in wilderness areas alone,I always carried a razor sharp knife in case I had to operate-never did,wouldn't know how-the one about ticks great advice.Sorta mixed emotions about notes on car-invitation to break in if they know you aren't close.